Orthodox Jewish men are seen through a shattered window near a synagogue after a rocket fired by Palestinians militants from Gaza Strip hit Ashdod, Israel, Friday, Aug. 19, 2011. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

(Newser)
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The situation continues to get uglier in Gaza and southern Israel: Gaza militants launched rockets into Israel this morning in the latest move following yesterday's coordinated attacks against Israelis. Israel had initially retaliated against those attacks, which killed eight, with an airstrike yesterday that killed five. Israel continued those airstrikes past midday today, targeting what the military said were smuggling tunnels and sites used by gunmen, the AP reports. Hamas says two children have been killed in the strikes. Early today, at least 10 rockets were fired into Israel by Gaza militants; one was intercepted, another wounded six Israelis.

Yesterday's initial attacks, the deadliest against Israelis in three years, illustrate the increasing danger posed by Israel's border with the Sinai Peninsula, which has become increasingly lawless since Egypt's Hosni Mubarak was ousted. Despite the escalating violence, Israel's chief military spokesperson says it's "too early" to say that a broad escalation in Gaza is coming, but "if we see that Hamas is choosing to escalate, we will not hesitate to expand the scope of our actions, respond in strength and exact a price from Hamas."

Obviously, Gaza still has not learned its lesson. But Israel made a big mistake when it agreed to a peace treaty with Egypt and to return the Sinai. Menachem Begin pressed Sadat to take Gaza, but Sadat refused. So Gaza was left to remain a deadly thorn in Israel's side. Had Israel insisted that Egypt take Gaza or no deal, then Egypt would have been responsible for Gaza, in keeping law and order and suppressing terrorist attacks against Israel. Israel never wanted Gaza as it has been nothing but a base of terror since the early 1950s. But it is there and keeps doubling in population every 20 years, and like a cancerous tumor exists only for the purpose of annoying and eventually destroying Israel.

anchower

Aug 19, 2011 3:06 PM CDT

If you're wondering what to expect, during the Gaza War of late 2008 to early 2009, three (3) Israeli civilians died, while the IDF killed between 295 (the IDF figure) and 926 (per the Palestinian Centre for Human RIghts) Palestinian civilians.